Disposal feeding system including selective container control

ABSTRACT

A system including apparatus for automatically and continuously, or intermittently, feeding disposal material such as highly combustible waste plastic in containers such as 55 gallon steel drums or in packages such as 30 gallon sizes into a rotary kiln or any other appropriate receiver. Highly combustible or explosive materials must be placed carefully into a rotary kiln or other type of combustible disposal equipment because of the likelihood of explosion or blow back when the material reaches the heat. Such material contained in packages of 55 gallon steel drums or in bales or disposable cartons is delivered by conveyor to a grid for raising same and in clamping means which holds the reclaimable drum and tilts same through an openable closure into the furnace or incinerator, dumps the container and returns it to reclaimable position to be moved on out another conveyor system. The system comprises basically four components, some of which may be eliminated or substituted: (1) four roller conveyors (2) a dumping grid (3) a clamping assembly (4) a ram cylinder (5) a feeding grid (optional) (6) an airlock housing, together with suitable electrical and hydraulic control devices. The motor driven conveyors deliver either the drums or self-contained packages to the clamping assembly whereat by automatic operation of the electrical control system the drum or pack is either clamped and dumped or pushed into the furnace and if it is to be clamped and dumped and reclaimed the drum is delivered back down the conveyor system. The operator is at a remote point and may at any time overpower the system by electrical control and buttons to interrupt the process or otherwise control the outcome.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 115,486 filed Feb. 12, l971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Delivery systems and apparatus for incinerators and explosion-prooffurnaces. Automatic incineration equipment and delivery equipment forhighly combustible materials to furnaces and incinerators.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 3,173,389 issued to Henry J. Cates,Jr., et al providing explosion-proof closures and delivery systems forfurnaces to handle highly combustible material. This system is fine forits purpose but does not include any way of conveying the combustiblematerial into the furnace other than to move it through theexplosion-proof doors nor is there any effort for handling drums andsimilar containers and retaining and reclaiming the drum or forselectively dumping packages and in case of emergency the drum itself.There is a need for such an arrangement where continuous quantities ofhighly combustible material such as plastic waste and other combustiblesare being produced, as for example in industry, where waste plasticresults from manufacturing processes. While conveyor systems per se arewell known, the present arrangement handles the material and may beautomatic insofar as handling the reclaimable drum or the package ofwaste material and also may be remotely controlled by an operator whoobserves and controls the procedure. Previously there has been a problemin handling highly combustible materials at the point where the materialis released to the furnace because this is where sudden explosion orcombustion may take place before handlers are out of the way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The system which may be electrically controlled and hydraulicallyoperated, includes conveyor means delivering packages which may be incontainers, such as drums, to the container or package grasping assemblywhich includes clamping and non-clamping operation and a quick means fordumping the entire package. The grasping means is operated in theelectrical circuit to clamp and tilt a drum through the normally closedexplosion proof closure into the incinerator or furnace and to returnthe drum to a conveyor means to be conveyed away for reuse. The graspingassembly is mounted with a portion of the conveyor system so as to moverelative thereto and lift the container or package of waste material fordumping or for feeding. Handling of the drums is automatic and remotefrom any operator so that explosions or blowbacks should not injurepersonnel. Furthermore, there is a provision for releasing the drum orpackage should any emergency arise but normally the drum is reclaimedand reused and all of this is done continuously and in a regulatedorderly pattern through an automated electrical control system handledby one operator.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the complete system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clamping and dumping grid componentof the system and part of the conveyors.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the clamping and dumping mechanismwith a drum in place.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along lines 4--4 inFIG. 3 through the clamping mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a plan view partly diagrammatic of the clamping assembly andthe dumping assembly.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the clamping assembly.

FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic for the complete system.

FIG. 8 is a hydraulic schematic for the complete system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present system and preferred embodiment is designed to automaticallyand continuously feed 55 gallon steel drums and/or 30 gallon packs intoa furnace or kiln such as the International Incinerators, Inc. RotaryKiln. The system is also designed so that it will either feed thecontainer such as a 55 gallon steel drum and its contents into the kiln(dumpable cycle) or dump the contents and retain the container(reclaimable). However, the operator has control of the system at alltimes and at the operator's option on the reclaimable cycle, by pushinga button the container can be dumped should there be any reason such asan emergency or a fire in the container and the like.

The complete system comprises basically the following components some ofwhich as more readily appear to one who has ordinary skill in the artmay be eliminated or replaced by something else such as a chain hoistconveyor, a forklift truck, and so forth:

A. four Roller Conveyors C1, C2, C3 and C4

B. the Dumping Grid;

C. the Clamping Assembly;

D. the Ram Cylinder;

E. the Feeding Grid;

F. the Air Lock Housing;

G. electrical and Hydraulic Control Devices.

The four conveyors are each essentially conventional equipment and areeither powered or non-powered roller conveyors as will appearhereinafter identified as conveyors C1, C2, C3 and C4.

Conveyor C1 consists of one eight foot long section of free rollers 18to allow time for the removal of the lids from the drums 14, one 20 footlong section of cam clutched rollers, and a four foot long section ofpowered rollers. A cam clutched roller is one with a one-way clutch thatcan be overridden. After the lids (not shown) are removed from the drums14 the drums 14 are pushed onto the cam clutched roller area.

Conveyor C2 is a short conveyor that transfers the drums 14 one at atime from the conveyor arrangement C1 to the conveyor C3 as the feedingsequence calls for a new drum 14. As conveyor C2 calls for drum 14 thepowered section of conveyor C1 moves the drum onto the conveyor C2.

Conveyor C1, C2, C3, and C4 are of conventional construction using steelrollers 18 mounted on respective end shafts 19 in the end of each rollerand the power driven rollers 18 are powered by means of a sprocket andchain drive. The power driven rollers are driven by the sprocket 20which is driven by a chain 22 from a motor drive (not shown) to drivethe shaft 24 coupled to one of the powered rollers 18 to the shaftthereof and the rollers in sequence in that powered section areinterconnected by means of respective sprockets and chains whichtransfer the power from one roller to another. Similarly conveyor C2 ispowered from a sprocket 20, chain 22 through a shaft 24 and conveyor C3is likewise powered. Conveyor C2 is a short conveyor that transfersdrums one at a time from conveyor C1 to C3 as the feeding sequence callsfor a new drum and all the rollers 18 on C2 are powered.

C3 is an all powered roller conveyor that receives a drum 14 on one endfrom C2 and conveys it to the proper stopping point for the dumpingoperation and then if the empty drum 14 is to be returned C3 reversesand carries the empty drum 14 to C4.

C4 receives the empty drums 14 from C3 and intermittently moves each onedown approximately 3 feet and then stops. C4 is an all powered rollerconveyor except for an eight foot section on the end of free rollers 18for the purpose of replacing the lids.

B. THE DUMPING GRID

The dumping grid B is a hydraulically actuated pivoting deviceconsisting of six bar fingers 30 which are flat plates connected to alarger plate surface 32 which has triangular steel plates 34 on eachside thereof each of which has bolted thereto a large steel block 36. Afloating shaft 38 attached to the steel block 36 on one side of thedumping grid triangular plate 34 pivots in a journal bearing assembly 52mounted on a steel I beam 42 which is rigidly supported on the frame ofthe building or the floor or otherwise supported as part of theframework designated generally by reference numeral 44 which supportsall of the conveyors C1, C2, C3, and C4 as well as the other parts ofthe system.

The other triangular plate 34 of the dumping grid B and block 36 isattached to the drive shaft 50 mounted in a bearing block assembly 52.Drive shaft 50 is connected to the coupling assembly 52 of a "ROTAC"(rotary actuator) assembly designated generally by reference numeral 54and comprising hydraulic motor 56 receiving fluid through lines 58, 60to operate through the coupling 53 shaft 50 thereby pivoting the entiredumping grid assembly B in the bearings 40, 52 to bring the fingers 30out from between respective conveyor rollers 18 for the purpose ofdumping the drum 14.

C. THE CLAMPING ASSEMBLY

In order to hold the drum 14 for dumping and to be reclaimed afterdumping there is mounted as part of and with the dumping grid assembly Bthe clamping assembly C comprising a housing constructed from steelplate 60, 62 into a box-like arrangement and having a pair of clamp arms64 made from curved steel plates 66 reinforced by back plates 68.Reference to FIG. 4 discloses that each clamp arm 64 is supported on thebox-like housing on pivots 70 which are shafts supported vertically inthe housing made up of plate 60, 62 and a respective hydraulic cylinder74 has a cylinder rod 76 connected to a pivot pin 78 on one end of eachclamp arm 64 whereby actuation of the hydraulic cylinder moves the rod76 to open and close each respective clamp 64 on a respective drum 14.The entire clamp assembly is attached to the fingers 30 by means oftrust plates 79 vertically disposed and attached to a horizontalconnecting plate 80 all of which are welded or otherwise secured inplace.

The dumping grid B along with the clamping assembly C is a hydraulicallyactuated pivoting device which serves to:

1. lift a pack or drum off the rollers for either the dumpable cycle orthe reclaimable cycle;

2. provide a level surface to push the paks or drums 14 across with theram cylinder D to be described next on the dumpable cycle;

3. lift and rotate the drum 14 and clamping assembly during thereclaimable cycle.

D. THE RAM CYLINDER

Ram cylinder 90 designated in complete assembly is a hydraulic cylinder92 especially designed so as not to allow twisting of its shaft 94 andon which shaft 94 there is a curved pushing plate 96 made of steel andattached by means of a truss arrangement 98 to the hydraulic cylinderrod 94. The curved plate 96 fits the contour of the drum 14 and pushes adrum across the surface of the fingers 30 and the plate 32 of thedumping grid onto the feeding grid 120 during the dumpable cycle (whichis the terminology used to indicate the abandonment of a drum or pak -as opposed to retaining a container, dumping same and returning it forreuse). Hydraulic cylinder 92 is operated by means of hydraulic lines100, 102.

E. THE FEEDING GRID

The feeding grid designated generally by reference numeral 120 isanother finger type grid comprising flat plate fingers 122 connected byperipheral plates 124 into a box-like structure which is supportedhorizontally on a shaft 125 which is perpendicular to the dumping gridshaft 50. The feeding grid 120 works during the dumpable cycle andaccepts a pak or a drum in the upright position which is pushed by thecurved plate 96 by the rod 94 and slowly lowers the pak or drum 14 to a45 degree angle from vertical thus causing the pak or drum 14 to enterthe kiln, incinerator or furnace bottom first and at a controlled rateof speed. By entering bottom first in the case of a drum the contentsare not dumped suddenly to be ignited and the pak or drum is allowed tofall into the incinerator.

F. THE AIR LOCK HOUSING

The air lock housing designated generally by reference numeral 150 is areinforced steel plate housing which is mounted in the wall structure152 that separates the dumping grid B from the furnace or incinerator.The air lock housing includes a hydraulically operated guillotine typedoor 154 that when closed forms an air seal around the pak or drum 14 infeeding position. The access opening 160 in a feeder housing 162 isopened by opening the access door 164 which normally closes the opening160 which exposes the feeding grid 120. The feeder housing 162 isconstructed from steel plate wall members 166 arranged in a closedbox-like formation and has an opening in the roof (not shown) to allow avent (not shown) to the outside of building in case of an explosion andthe vent also serves as an air inlet through a damper and an air inletduct (not shown). The door 164 will only open when the door 154 of theair lock housing is closed.

A grid jack cylinder 170 may be located beneath the dumping grid B forthe purpose of providing initial lifting force to jack the dumping gridB positively so as to remove some of the force required through torquein the shaft 50. Cylinder 170 is mounted on a conveyor frame C3 and thecylinder rod is connected to grid B. Cylinder 170 drives grid B toassure level each time.

    __________________________________________________________________________    LEGEND                                                                        RELAY                                                                         SOLENOID COIL                                                                 SSW            Selector Switch                                                C.R.           Control Relay                                                  L.S.           Limit Switch                                                   P.B.           Push Button                                                    D.S.           Drum Switch                                                    T              Timer                                                          C              Conveyor                                                       F              Forward                                                        R              Reverse                                                        S.W.           Switch                                                         LIMIT SWITCH SCHEDULE (LS)                                                    SW. No.                                                                              INDICATES             CONTACTS                                         __________________________________________________________________________    LS.1   Door 154 is open    5 N.O.                                             LS.2   Drum 14 is at Index Point                                                                              IN.C.                                         LS.3   A Drum 14 is on Conv. C2 IN.C.                                         LS.4   A Drum 14 is in Dumping Position                                                                  IN.O-                                                                              IN.C.                                         LS.5   Door 154 is closed  IN.O                                               LS.6   JACK 170 IS UP      2N.O IN.C.                                         LS.7   FEEDING GRID 120 IS UP                                                                            IN.O                                               LS.8   DOOR 164 IS OPEN    2N.O                                               LS.9   RAM ROD 94 FULL EXTENDED                                                                          IN.O.                                              LS.10  RAM ROD 94 IS CLEAR OF DOOR 164                                                                   IN.O.                                              LS.11  RAM ROD 94 FULL RETRACTED                                                                         IN.O.                                              LS.12  DOOR 164 IS CLOSED  IN.O.                                              LS.13  JACK 170 IS DOWN    3N.O                                               LS.14  FEEDING GRID 120 IS DOWN                                                                          2N.O                                               LS.15  LEFT CLAMP 64 IS OPEN                                                                             1N.O 1N.C.                                         LS.16  RIGHT CLAMP 64 IS OPEN                                                                            3N.O.                                                                              1N.C.                                         LS.17  LEFT CLAMP 64 IS CLOSED                                                                           1N.O.                                              LS.18  RIGHT CLAMP 64 IS CLOSED                                                                          1N.O.                                              LS.19  DRUM 14 IS OFF CONVEYOR C2                                                                        1N.O.                                              LS.20  STOP CONV.C4             1N.C.                                         LS.21  START CONVEYORC4    1N.O.                                              DRUM SWITCH (DS)                                                              POSITION                                                                             INDICATES             CONTACTS                                         __________________________________________________________________________    DS 1   GRID 120 IS IN START POSITION                                                                       4                                                DS 2   TOP OF DRUM 14 IS INSIDE DOOR 164                                                                   1                                                DS 3   CLAMPS 64 ARE CLEAR OF DOOR 164                                                                     4                                                DS 4   GRID 64 IN EXTREME STOP POSITION                                                                    1                                                DS 5   DRUM 14 IS CLEAR OF DOOR 164                                                                        1                                                SOLENOID VALVES (S)                                                           VALVE NO.                                                                            FUNCTION      TYPE                                                                              COILA COIL B                                         __________________________________________________________________________    S-1    DOOR 154      4-way                                                                             Opens Closes                                         S-2    GRID JACK 170 4-way                                                                             Up    Down                                           S-3    FEEDING GRID 120                                                                            4-way                                                                             Up    Down                                           S-4    ROTAC FLOAT 54                                                                              4-way                                                                             RETURN                                                                              FLOAT                                                 (Connects Forward Line                                                        to reverse line)                                                       S-5    DUMPING GRID B (ROTAC 54)                                                                   4-way                                                                             FORWARD                                                                             REVERSE                                        S-6    ROTAC 54-Power                                                                              4-way                                                                             RETURN                                                                              ON                                             S-7    DOOR 164      4-way                                                                             UP    DOWN                                           S-8    RAM 90        4-way                                                                             IN    OUT                                            S-9    LEFT CLAMP 64 4-way                                                                             OPEN  CLOSE                                          S-10   RIGHT CLAMP 64                                                                              4-way                                                                             OPEN  CLOSE                                          S-11   FEEDING GRID 120 LOCK                                                                       4-way                                                                             LOCK  UNLOCK                                         __________________________________________________________________________

Reference is hereby made to the electrical schematic FIG. 7 and to thehydraulic schematic FIG. 8 which has been labeled according to the abovelegend. The operational sequence is outlined as follows:

Conveyor C1 and C2 operate independently of the sequence and their onlycontribution to the sequence is to at all times provide a pak or drum 14at the index point.

Conveyor C1 will automatically run until a pak 14 or drum 14 is onConveyor C2 (controlled by L.S.-3). It also has an override "Jog" pushbutton (P.B.-1) so that an operator can manipulate the drums on ConveyorC1 manually.

Conveyor C2 will automatically move the drum 14 that Conveyor C1provided to the index point.

Energizing Conveyor C3 forward (C-3F) by-passes L.S.-2 on Conveyor C2and causes the drum at the index point to move on to Conveyor C3. At thesame time another C-3F interlocking contact stops Conveyor C1 so thatonly one drum 14 at a time will move into the air lock housing 162. Whenthe C-3F coil is de-energized, Conveyors 1 and 2 resume their automaticcycle and move another pak or drum to the index point.

THE DUMPABLE CYCLE

1. operator places selector switch (S-SW) on control panel (not shown)C.C.P. in position "Dumpable".

2. Operator turns on sequence timer (T-1) switch and sets rate of feedrequired.

3. Operator turns on Switch SW-2.

4. operator presses "Start" Button (P.B.-2)

from this point on sequence is automatic and will continue at this rateuntil either the sequence timer rate is changed or turned off. In eithercase, the cycle will not be effected until the drum 14 going through thecycle completes its cycle. If the rate is changed, the next drum 14 willoperate at the new speed; if the timer is turned off, there will not beanother cycle.

Some of the components used for the reclaimable cycle could, withoutsome special interlocks on the selector switch, cause some interferencewith the dumpable cycle. Also, a solenoid (S-4) has been provided in thehydraulic circuit for the rotary actuator (ROTAC) S-5 on the dumpinggrid shaft to connect Port A to Port B so as to allow an auxiliaryhydraulic and jack 170 to accurately position the grid 120 for slidingthe drum 14 across it. A set of S-SW contacts are used on the dumpablecycle to activate this solenoid during the dumpable cycle.

Another set of S-SW contacts are used on each of the clamping armsolenoids (S-9A and S-9B) to insure that they do not close during thisoperation.

Pressing the Start Button (P.B.-2) starts (P.B.-2) providing that Door154 (L.S.-2) is open, (note: Door 154 is left open at the end of eachcycle), and that Switch SW-2 is on. An interlock in C-3F also unlatchesthe reversing relay (CB-1) so that all contacts marked CR-1 and shownnormally closed are now closed.

A drum 14 will now transfer from the index point (C2) on to C3 and moveto the dumping position where it contacts L.S.-4, L.S.-4 stops C3,closes Door 154 (Sol. S-1B) and raises the dumping grid jack (Sol.-S-2A)up into a horizontal position. As soon as CR-1 unlatched the feedinggrid (Sol. S-3A) started raising.

As soon as Door 154 closes, it contacts a limit switch (L.S.-5) andenergizes the solenoid (Sol. S-7A) to open Door 164 as soon as Door 164is full open (L.S.-8) and providing that the grid jack 170 up (L.S.-6)and the feeding grid 120 is up (L.S.-7) the ram cylinder 90 will pushthe drum across the dumping grid onto the feeding grid.

When the ram cylinder 90 is fully extended, it closes limit switchL.S.-9 which in turn energizes the reversing relay (CR-1).

CR-1 de-energizes all the forward positions of all the solenoids used inthis circuit and energizes the circuits used to reverse the procedure.Simultaneously it causes the ram to retract (Sol. S-8B), the feedinggrid 120 (Sol. 8-3B) to lower the drum 14 now on it into the furnace,and the grid jack 170 to go down again to receive another drum 14 (Sol.S-2B).

When the ram 96 gets clear of Door 164, it actuates a limit switch(L.S.-10) causing Door 164 (Sol. S-7B) to close.

When Door 164 is fully closed, it actuates a limit switch (L.S.-14)causing Door 154 (Sol. S-1A) to open.

As soon as Door 154 is fully open (L.S.-1) and providing that the ram isfully retracted (L.S.-11) the grid jack 170 is down (L.S.-13), thefurnace is not on emergency by-pass and the furnace temperature is notexcessive, the sequence timer is energized.

After a time interval, pre-set by the operator, a set of T-1 contacts,wired in parallel with the start button, on C3 starts the cycle overagain. the cycle will repeat until the T-1 time switch is turned off.

RECLAIMABLE CYCLE

1. operator places selector switch (S-SW) on control panel C.C.P. inposition (Reclaimable).

2. Operator turns on sequence timer (T-1) switch and sets rate of feeddesired.

3. Operator sets key operated switch for timer T-2 on either automaticor semi-automatic.

4. Operator turns on switch SW-2.

5. operator presses Start Button.

Incorporated in this cycle, the operator has several options that he canperform as he deems necessary. Although the cycle's function is toreclaim 55 gallon steel drums 14, the operator can, if he observes thatthe drum is not salvagable, unclamp the drum 14 inside the feederhousing 162 and dump it into the kiln. Interlocks (DS-4) are provided onthe dumping grid shaft drum switch (DS) so that he can only unclamp thedrum inside the feeder housing.

Another option the operator can stop the dumping grid shaft (Sol. S-6A)to visually inspect the drum 14 by pushing the "Stop" Buttton (P.B.-3).Again, interlocks (DS-2) are provided so that he can only stop thedumping grid when the drum is inside the feeder housing. Interlocks(DS-4) are also provided that automatically stop the dumping grid Bwhile unclamping a drum 14.

Unlike the dumpable cycle, the reclaimable cycle can be operatedautomatically or semi-automatically (T-2 key operated switch). If theswitch is set on the semi-automatic position, the operator must pressthe "Return" Button (P.B.-5) each time a drum 14 is emptied in order toreturn the drum 14 to C3.

Like the dumpable cycle, pressing the Start Button (P.B.-2) starts C3providing that Door A (L.S.-2) is open and providing that switch SW-2 isclosed. The interlocks in C-3F again de-energized the reversing relay(CR-2) so that all solenoids operate the forward functions.

A drum will now transfer from the index point (C2) onto C3 and move tothe dumping position where it contacts L.S.-4. L.S.-4 stops C3, closesDoor A (Sol. S-1B) and raises the grid jack (Sol. S-2A) so that the drumis off the rollers. However, because the selector switch is in thereclaimable position, the feeding grid does not raise.

As soon as the dumping grid B is up and has the drum 14 clear of therollers, it actuates a limit switch (L.S.-6) which in turn causes theleft and right clamps 64 (Sol. S-9B) and (S-10B) to clamp the drum 14.

When the clamping operation is going on, Door 154 is closing and as soonas Door 154 is fully closed (L.S.-5) Door 164 (Sol.S-7A) opens.

Again, special selector switch contacts were used to allow the dumpinggrid B to float while using the auxiliary grid jack cylinder 170. Thiscircuit is broken by a limit switch (L.S.-6) when the jack has the gridB in the proper position.

When Door 164 is fully open (L.S.-8) and the clamps 64 are clamped(L.S.-17) and (L.S.-18) and providing the feeding grid B is locked downout of the way (L.S.-14), the ROTAC 54 solenoid (Sol.S-5A) starts theentire assembly B in a forward arc. As soon as the top of the drum 14 isinside the feeder housing 162 (DS-2), the operator may exercise hisoption to stop the dumping grid B (P.B.-3).

Also, as soon as the clamps 64 are inside the feeder housing 162 (DS-3),the operator can exercise his option to unclamp the drum 14 (P.B.-4). Aswas previously mentioned, the operation of unclamping the drum, throughan interlock on P.B.-4, stops the assembly and as an added precaution,limit switches (L.S.-15) and (L.S.-16) indicating that the clamps 64 arenot clamped also stop the movement of the dumping assembly.

If the operator should choose to unclamp the drum 14, the drum 1r willfall down a chute into the kiln. Then the clamps 64 will close back andthe assembly will move on forward to the end of its stroke. However, aset of contacts in the "Unclamp" Button (P.B.-4) energizes a memoryrelay (CR-2) to start the cycle over again as soon as the system hasreset itself.

If the operator does not unclamp or stop the drum 14, the ROTAC 54 unitwill rotate the drum to a vertical, upside-down position to dump thecontents of the drum 14. This position closes the contacts on the drumswitch (DS-4).

If, at this time, the key operated switch is in the "automatic"position, after a 15 second time lapse, the timer (T-2) will energizethe reversing relay (CR-1). Or , if the key switch is in thesemi-automatic position the operator will have to push the "Return"Button (P.B.-5) and this will energize the reversing relay.

When the reversing relay is energized, power is disconnected from allthe forward positions of the solenoids. Then the ROTAC 54 reverses andreturns either the dumping assembly with the drum or the empty dumpingassembly to Conveyor c3.

As soon as the grid is clear of Door 164 (DS-5), Door 164 closes (SOL.s-7b).

As soon as the grid is back to the horizontal position (DS-1), theclamps 64 unclamp (Sol. S-9A and S-10A).

As soon as the clamps 64 are fully open (L.S.-15) and (L.S.-16) andproviding that the dumping grid B is in the proper-position (DS-1), theROTAC 54 float solenoid (Sol. S-4) again assumes the float positionallowing the grid jack 170 (Sol. S-2B) to ease the empty drum 14(providing there is an empty drum) down on the rollers of C3.

During this reversing and unclamping procedure, Door 164 was closing. Assoon as it closed (L.S.-12), Door 154 started opening.

If the drum 14 has been unclamped and the memory relay (CR-2) has beenenergized as was previously mentioned, then as soon as door 154 isopened (L.S.-1), the grid jack 170 is down (L.S.-13) and the right clampis open (L.S.-16), a set of CR-2 contacts complete the circuit to thesequence timer.

As the empty drum 14 approaches C4, it activates a limit switch(L.S.-21) that starts C4. It then travels across the transfer point ontoC4 where it activates two limit switches (L.S.-19) and (L.S.-20).

The second limit switch (L.S.-20) stops C4.

The first limit switch (L.S.-19), providing that the plant is not onemergency by-pass or the temperature in the furnace is not excessive orthe timer switch is not turned off, energize the sequence timer (T-1).

Whether the empty drum energizes the timer or memory relay circuitenergizes it, after a time interval pre-set by the operator occurs, aset of T-1 contacts wired in parallel with the Start Button on C3 willstart the cycle over again. The cycle will repeat until the sequencetimer (T-1) switch is turned off.

While we have shown and described a particular embodiment of thisdisposal feeding system and a method of same this is by way ofillustration only and is not a limitation on the scope since variousalterations, changes, eliminations, deviations, additions, subtractions,integrations, combinations and departures may be made in the method andapparatus shown without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined by a proper interpretation of the appended Claims.

We claim:
 1. In a system of the class described:a. conveyor means formoving a succession of open containers of disposable combustiblematerial for burning by delivering same to a furnace, b. means forgrasping said containers including a clamping assembly for clampingsame, c. a selective means for pushing said container to force same intothe furnace for disposal, said means for grasping also dumping saidmaterial from the containers and returning said containers to theconveyor means, d. a dumping support on which said container ispositioned for movement into a furnace comprising a dumping grid deviceproviding a level surface on which a container is supported and acrosswhich said container may be pushed, e. an actuator for said dumpinggrid, f. an airlock housing having an opening with first closure meansleading to said means for grasping, g. a second closure means having anopening leading to said furnace or kiln, said airlock housing enclosingsaid means for grasping so that the first closure means may be openedfor loading and then closed and said second closure means may be openedfor disposal and then closed after removal of the container, h. aselector switch in a control panel, i. a sequence timer switch includingmeans for setting the rate of delivery of successive containers fordumping, j. a solenoid control for controlling the movement of thedumping grid, k. electrically controlled, hydraulic control means forsaid first door, l. a limit switch contactable by said container toactuate said first door, m. hydraulically operated electrical controlmeans for opening the second door and a limit switch operated by saidcontainer to actuate same, n. a limit switch contacted by said ramassembly when it clears the second door to actuate said limit switch toclose said second door, o. there being another limit switch contacted bysaid second door when it is fully closed to cause said first entry doorto open whereupon as soon as said door is opened and as soon as said ramrod is fully retracted, said grid is down and the sequence timer isenergized for a new cycle.
 2. In a system of the class described:a.conveyor means for moving a succession of open containers of disposablecombustible material for burning by delivering same to a furnace, b.means for grasping said containers including a clamping assembly forclamping same, c. a selective means for pushing said container to forcesame into the furnace for disposal, said means for grasping also dumpingsaid material from the containers and returning said containers to theconveyor means, d. a dumping support on which said container ispositioned for movement into a furnace comprising a dumping grid deviceproviding a level surface on which a container is supported and acrosswhich said container may be pushed, e. an actuator for said dumpinggrid, f. an airlock housing having an opening with first closure meansleading to said means for grasping, g. a second closure means having anopening leading to said furnace or kiln, said airlock housing enclosingsaid means for grasping so that the first closure means may be openedfor loading and then closed and said second closure means may be openedfor disposal and then closed after removal of the container, h. aselector switch in a control panel, i. a sequence timer switch includingmeans for setting the rate of delivery of successive containers fordumping, j. a solenoid control for controlling the movement of thedumping grid, k. electrically controlled, hydraulic control means forsaid first door, l. a limit switch contactable by said drum to actuatesaid first door, m. hydraulically operated electrical control means foropening the second door and a limit switch operated by said drum toactuate same, n. said dumping grid device comprising a plurality ofside-by-side and spaced members to lift and support a container orpackage from said conveyor, o. said spaced members providing a levelsurface on which a container is supported and across which saidcontainer may be pushed by the means for disposing of same, p. a dumpinggrid jack for initially elevating same to level, q. there being asolenoid control for said dumping grid jack, r. solenoid control meansfor said first and second doors, s. a limit switch contacted by saiddrum to stop the conveyor means and to close the first door which raisesthe dumping grid jack by actuation of the solenoid to a horizontalposition, t. electrical means actuated to cause the feeding grid toraise, said first door contacting a limit switch and energizing thesolenoid to open the second door, u. switch means operated to actuatesaid ram cyclinder to push a drum, package or container across thedumping grid onto the feeding grid, v. interlock means operable by theoperator if he observes that a drum is not salvagable to unclamp thedrum inside the feeder housing and dump it into the kiln includinginterlock means provided on the dumping grid shaft so that said drum canonly be unclamped inside the feeder housing.
 3. The device in claim 1:said dumping grid device comprising a plurality of side-by-side andspaced members to lift and support a container from said conveyor. 4.The device in claim 1 wherein: said means for pushing said containercomprises a hydraulic ram assembly having a hydraulic cylinder andpiston and said clamping assembly having an opening therein throughwhich said ram cylinder piston operates to contact the drum, package orcontainer when it is necessary to completely dispose of same.
 5. Thedevice in claim 1 wherein:said conveyor means includes more than oneconveyor having electrically operated power means, electrical controlmeans for said conveyors including means for operating said conveyorsindependently of any sequence to provide a package, drum or container atthe index point, one of said conveyors being energized by operation of alimit switch to cause the drum, package or container at an index pointto move on to said one conveyor, there being other electrical contactsto stop the conveyor so that only one drum at the time will feed.
 6. Thesystem claimed in claim 1:p. said conveyor means including a firstconveyor including power driven rollers and non-powered rollers, q. asecond conveyor leading to the position for grasping said material, r. athird conveyor being substantially in alignment with said secondconveyor for conveying said container from said means for grasping andincluding power driven rollers thereon.
 7. The device claimed in claim 1wherein said conveyor is a powered roller conveyor that receives thematerial and conveys it to the proper stopping point for the dumpingoperation, and including a means for reversing to carry an empty drum orcontainer to be conveyed away.
 8. The device claimed in claim 1,wherein: said means for grasping includes a support with a pair of powerdriven clamps thereon each of which is movable towards and away from theother, and power means for moving said clamp.
 9. The device claimed inclaim 1 wherein: pthere is a feeding grid adjacent the furnace entrance,said feeding grid being a support means having a plurality of spacedmembers and being pivoted on a horizontal shaft, said feeding gridpivoting during a dumpable cycle and accepting a pak, drum or containerin the upright position and lowering same at an angle from verticalthereby causing the package, drum or container to enter the kiln bottomfirst and at a controlled rate of speed.
 10. The device claimed in claim1 wherein:there is a limit switch contacted by the full extension ofsaid ram assembly to energize a reversing relay whereupon all theforward positions of the electrical controls are used to reverse theprocedure thereby causing the ram rod to retract.
 11. The device claimedin claim 2 wherein:means for stopping the dumping grid, as for examplewhen the operator visually inspects a container, said means including astop switch button and interlocks to prevent the actuation of thedumping grid only when the drum is inside the feeder housing andinterlocks to prevent motion of the dumping grid while unclamping adrum.
 12. The device claimed in claim 11, wherein:there is a selectorswitch having a reclaimable position whereby the feeding grid does notraise to receive the drum, as soon as the dumping grid is up and thedrum is clear of the conveyor, a limit switch actuatable thereby causingthe left and right clamps to clamp the drum, switch operable to closethe first door and to open the second door, a special selector switchpermitting the dumping grid to float while the auxillary grid jackraises the grid, limit switch means to stop the movement of saidfloating grid when the grid is in proper position, a solenoid meansoperable when the second door is open and the clamps are in place tostart the entire drum clamping assembly in a forward arc, meansselectable by the operator when the drum is inside the feeder housing topermit the operator to exercise his option to stop the dumping grid,switch means operating the power unit to rotate the drum to a vertical,upside down position to dump the contents into the furnace therebyclosing contacts on a drum switch, timer means energizing a reversingrelay after a lapse permitting said drum to dump, switch meansdisconnecting power from said power means for moving said drum clampingmeans and to reverse same to starting position, switch means as soon assaid second door is closed to unclamp said drum and as soon as saidclamps are open solenoid means operable to lower said grid by actuationof said grid jack, switch means operable during the reversing andunclamping procedure to open said furnace door and if the drum has beenunclamped and the memory relay has been energized, switch meansoperating a conveyor to reverse and carry the empty drum away.